I’m not going to do the full summary, as this book seems to be everywhere right now. Besides, there’s a mystery, so it’s best if you don’t know too much. But I am going to talk about the characters, especially in relation to the author.
Stieg Larsson was a political activist and journalist, as well as an expert on right-wing extremist groups, such as Nazi organizations. His background is very apparent in this novel. The main character, Mikael Blomkvist, is a journalist who is convicted of libel. When he is hired by the wealthy Henrik Vanger to research a family mystery, Mikael learns that some of the family members were (and may still be) Nazi sympathizers and members of neo-Nazi groups in Sweden. Larsson most definitely weaves his personal experiences and knowledge into this story.
The other main character, Lisbeth Salander, is a bit of a social outcast. She’s brilliant, but also antisocial. Although she bonds with Mikael, she doesn’t like many people. Her story unfolds through the course of the book, and it’s fascinating, although a bit cold. I’ve read that Larsson envisioned Lisbeth as a grown-up Pippi Longstocking…kick-ass and self-sufficient. The one thing that struck me as odd about this book was the author’s use of sometimes a first, and other times a last name, to refer to his characters. Lisbeth would be Lisbeth in one scene, and then a few pages later, she would be Salander. I find the use of last names to have a masculine feel, and it made the book and the characters feel a bit distant at times. I think I noticed it more with the female characters, and it felt odd, because I’m not used to that in my reading. I don’t know if this is because the author was male, and he had a habit of referring to people this way, or if it was intentional, or even if it’s a cultural thing. Whatever the reason, I didn’t care for it much. I was also bothered by Lisbeth’s traumatic experience (if you’ve read the book you’ll know what I’m referring to). While it was traumatic for her at the time, it is never mentioned again (although her “guardian” is) and she falls into Mikael’s bed a bit too easily. Again, I’m not sure if I’m being overly sensitive to this because the author is male, but it seems that all the women in Mikael’s life are conveniently casual about sex.
Despite all that, there are quite a few intriguing stories happening in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I find it interesting that the Swedish title is Men Who Hate Women, one that I find much more appropriate. While Lisbeth, who is the girl with the dragon tattoo, is a large part of the story (and I understand, the focus of the following books in the trilogy), she isn’t the focus of this book and the title is a bit misleading, as I was expecting more of her story initially. In fact, I was quite confused for the first few chapters, as the set-up was a bit all over the place.
Despite all of this, I did enjoy the book, and all its story lines. It’s different, as is the setting. But it is a bit cold, as I said already, and for this reason I don’t think I’ll ever gush about this one. However, I do intend on reading the next book in the series, The Girl Who Played with Fire.
Oh…I almost forgot! This is the first book I’ve completed for the R.I.P. Challenge.
I just bought this book the other day, so I hope to read it (fairly) soon. I never even considered it as being applicable for the RIP challenge–that’s another great reason for me to read it!
Stephanie´s last blog ..Giveaway!!
I never considered it for RIP, either…until I saw it on someone’s reading list.
softdrink´s last blog ..The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
SPOILER ALERT! Don’t read if you haven’t read the book.
Great approach to this book. I didn’t even notice the first name./last name changes, so I guess they didn’t bother me.
I think Lisbeth was able to sleep with Mikael for two reasons: she had her revenge and because she really had a detached opinion of herself. Not exactly low self-esteem but an ability to step outside herself and keep things that happened to her separate from who she was. Do you know what I mean?
I read this book in August and still haven’t written the review because It’s such a complicated book with disturbing themes that you can’t talk about without giving away the story.
Beth F´s last blog ..Today’s Read: Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble
I know exactly what you mean. I think her Asperger’s made her very detached. But later in the book she comes to realize her feelings for Mikael…so there were just a few things that seemed contradictory. But I think the author could have shown us more of her thoughts. I’m wondering what she’s like in book 2…
softdrink´s last blog ..The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
I’m in agreement with Beth on why she was able to sleep with M. She also sees sex as a weapon that she can use. The fact that he didn’t demand it made an impression on her, too. But, first and foremost, she had her revenge on B and was able to move on.
Literate Housewife´s last blog ..BBAW – The Serial Giveaway Winners Announced!
Beth is so right and so is Lit Wife.. Now about the book..well i m not sure why the name was changed.. but this is just a starting.. i mean you can see the whole of Lisbeth’s story in the next one..
Well i never noticed the name thing.. and I really found Lisbeth awesome.. something of a person i have never seen or imagined. With B, i guess it is he who finds women who are ok to sleep with him
God! that freaking Guardian of hers… how i hate him.. even now!
Well her feelings of B surprise her too.. you will see that in the 2nd one… and how she goes about it…
You know i loved it.. i never never saw it this way though…
Awesome, though-provoking review!
Veens´s last blog ..Cover Attraction : Veil of Roses!
I am now ready to review the book! Thanks really to you! Look for it on Friday.
Beth F´s last blog ..Today’s Listen: Darkness, Be My Friend by John Marsden
Do you know why the title was changed?
charley´s last blog ..Revolutionary Road
I haven’t a clue…although I’d suspect that maybe the publishers thought the original title wouldn’t appeal to Americans.
softdrink´s last blog ..The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
I was planning to find this at the library today for Mike to read. Does it seem like a man would enjoy it more?
Lisa´s last blog ..New in Reader
I think so…it has a bit of a noir feel to it.
softdrink´s last blog ..The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Are you playing with your blog colors again?
I am in them middle of this one right now so I skimmed a bit but I agree that the beginning is all over the place. Interesting about the title being different here.
Ti´s last blog ..Review: Betsy-Tacy
Ummm, yeah. I got tired of all that purple and green.
softdrink´s last blog ..The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The traumatic thing is revealed in book 2. They really should be read together! Re the sex, I think Americans are more puritanical (at least on the surface) than Europeans in that regard. At least so I’ve READ. What would *I* know about such subjects?
rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Review of “Mortal Friends” by Jane Stanton Hitchcock
Good point…I forgot about our puritanical hang-ups. But the rotating bed partners were still a bit much.
softdrink´s last blog ..The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Yeah, we (Scandinavians) are -on the surface- not as puritanical as Americans. But we are not all as promiscous as Lisbeth Salander and we certainly do not walk around having sex on the street with whomever take our fancy as I read someone thought (in another blog, not American). LOL!!!
Louise´s last blog ..Life as we knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Seriously (on the sex in the street thing)?!?
And I think Mikael was more promiscuous than Lisbeth!
I’m anxious to read this book even though it does irritate me when authors refer to the same character by different names in a book.
Kathy´s last blog ..Review: Odd and the Frost Giants
Kathy, everyone’s reading it! (Said in my best you must succumb to peer pressure voice.)
softdrink´s last blog ..The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
What an insightful review, Jill! Thank you. I haven’t yet read this one, but I do intend to.
Literary Feline´s last blog ..Review: A Disobedient Girl by Ru Freeman & a Giveaway
Thanks Wendy!
I didn’t get the cold impression you did, but I think that has to do with listening to it on audio. I was so entangled in it emotionally in what happened as well. The way I remember the names being used differently is that it depended on the point of view of that character at the time – or their attitude about her. That is pretty interesting, though. When I re-read this in print (oh, and I will), I’m going to pay attention to that to see if there is a pattern or not.
I have about 35 minutes left on The Girl Who Played with Fire and I’m really enjoying that one, too. It’s different than the the first in that it’s a whole lot more procedural. You learn a whole lot more about Lisbeth in it. Can’t wait to see how it ends – although I have it on a good source that not much is resolved. ACK!!!
Literate Housewife´s last blog ..BBAW – The Serial Giveaway Winners Announced!
I accidentally read something about the beginning of book 3, so I think your good source is a very good source.
I do have to read this one, especially since book #2 has already been released. I tried the audio but the accent was hard to listen to for me, so I need the print version. Great review.\\
Diane´s last blog ..147 – Yes, My Darling Daughter; Margaret Leroy
I want to read book 2, but I’m thinking I need a break…the first one was quite intense.
I have this one in my tbr and then I had to go and win the sequel so now I’m feeling even more pressure to read this one!
Belle´s last blog ..The Me-and-My-Books Relationship
Aww, winning the sequel is a Good Thing.
Hi, I really loved this book, I thought it was a great mystery and kept me hooked until the end. You’ve written a great review and your views about the characters’ detachment with regard to sex and relationships is spot on. Maybe there are cultural differences that become apparent in the literature from different countries. For me, that’s one of the interesting things about reading literature that doesn’t originate in the US or UK and gives me an insight into different modes of thought. I’ve got The Girl Who Played with Fire on my TBR pile and can’t wait to start reading it.
chasing bawa´s last blog ..A Vein of Deceit by Susanna Gregory
First of all, I love the new design! It really is fizzy now and all kinds of awesomeness.
I have seen this book everywhere, it’s true. But actually not until i read your review have I decided to actually go for it and read it. I am low on moolah nowadays so I’m heading to the library instead but I can’t wait to read it.
lilly´s last blog ..Join Book Chick City in celebrating all scary things
The Swedish title is MEN WHO HATE WOMEN??! Why has it taken me this long to learn that – weird but appropriate (the title, not me. Well, maybe me).
I have this in my Mailbox Monday post for tomorrow – I won it in a blog contest and can’t wait to read it so I can come back and read all the comments here that warned “spoiler!”
Dawn – She is Too Fond of Books´s last blog ..*Burn This Book: PEN Writers Speak Out on the Power of the Word*